Dynamometer for locomotives



(N0 Model.)

R. H. INNES. DYNAMOMETBR POR LoGoMoTIVBs.

Patented Jan. 13,1891.

v//l =lW// UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

ROBERT H. INNES, OF EL PASO, TEXAS.

DYNANIONIETER FOR LOCONIOTIVES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 444,611, dated January13, 1891.

Application led May 26,1890. Serial No. 353,196. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that LROBERT H. INNEs, of El Paso, El Paso county, in theState of Texas, have invented a new and useful Improvement inDynamometers for Locomotive-Engines, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompan yingdrawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention has for its object to provide a novel construction indynamometers for indicating the traction power of locomotives; and itconsists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts, all of whichwill be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my complete inventionas applied between the locomotive and tender. elevation of my inventiondetached. Fig. Sis a longitudinal sect-ion, taken on the line 0c x ofFig. 2. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a modiiication of myinvention; and Fig-5 is a vertical section of the check-valve and itsconnections.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the locomotive, and 2 thetender, to which my invention is applied to more fully show itsapplication to the same and arrangements of parts.

3 represents a draw-bar, which is of cylindrical form and suitably coredto receive the working parts of my invention. The draw bar 3 is attachedpermanently to the deadblocks 4 of the tender 2 by means of bolts orother suitable fastening devices.

5 represents the inner cylindrical portio of the draw-bar 3, and whichhas two slots 6 6 formed in that portion of the said draw-bar andimmediately opposite one another, within which the guide or sliding bar9 moves.

7 represents a cylinder or box containing a suitable liquid and which isformed integral with the cavity 5. v

S represents the piston or plunger, which is formed integral with theguide-block 9 and is operated'thereby, which piston presses against theliquid contained in the box or receptacle 7 when draft is applied.

Fig. 2 is a side through which a bolt 10 passes, carried by theguide-block 9.

To the locomotive 1 is attached any wellknown coupling device, and forthe purpose of illustration I have shown a common drawbar a, withinwhich the linked portion of the stirrup 11 is inserted and connectedthereto by means of a pin b, forming a perfect coupling between thelocomotive and tender.

To t-he under side of the draw-bar 3 is screwed or otherwise attachedaT-pipe12, communicating with, the opening e inthe roceptacle7'containing the liquid.

13 represents a pipe or tube leading in any desired direction under thetender 2 to the water-tank 2 thereof and projecting through a suitableopening in the floor of the same and secured in an upright position.

14 represents a funnel, suitably shaped at the bottom to receive aclieclcvalve 15, which valve may be made of any suitable materialwithout departing from the nature of my invention. One end of the pipeor tube 13 is connected to the T 12 and the opposite end thereofconnected to the receiver or funnel 14, connecting the said funnel withthe box or cylinder 7 containing the liquid.

16 represents a iiexible tube leading from and connected to the T-pipe12, the opposite end of which tube is carried up and located in anydesired or conspicuous position in the cab of the locomotive. Apressure-indicator 17 is attached to the projecting end of the flexibletube 16, by which means the traction power of the locomotive isascertained by the engineer.

In the modification illustrated in Fig. 4 l have shown a diaphragm d offlexible material covering the mouth of the box or receptacle 7containing the liquid, which diaphragm, when pressure is applied, causesthe liquid to assume the same position and to bev acted upon in the samemanner as in the de vice previously described. A button or other likeprojection cis secured to the guide-bar 9, which button presses againstthe diaphragm when traction is applied to the stirrup 1l.

Operation: The liquid is supplied to the box or receptacle 7 by the pipe13 through the medium of the funnel 14, the valve located in the saidfunnel allowing the water to pass in llIOOv that direction. By means ofthe pipe 13 the box or receptacle 7 is filled with liquid when desired,which becomes necessary for the complete operation of the device; or, bykeeping the water at the proper height in the tendertanl; it is apparentthat the receptacle 7 will always be filled with water. \Vhen draft isapplied to the stirrup l1, the liquid contained in the box 7 will becorrespondingly pressed, causing the said liquid to assume a greater orless pressure, as will beindicated by the gage, according to thetraction power of the locomotive. The check-valve 15 prevents the liquidfrom passing out of the pipe 13 when draft is applied, but allo s theliquid to pass in the opposite direction, as previously described.

In carrying out my invention it will be readily seen that the engineeris at all times informed of the traction power of thelocomotive, therebypresenting to him the knowledge not heretofore known by engineers, andwhich will enable him to run the locomotive with better satisfaction andwith better results.

'lhe invention can be successfully applied to tow-boats in a like mannerand with the same results.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is l. In a device forindicating the traction power of locomotives, a draw-head, a chambercontaining a liquid located therein, a piston operating in said chamber,means for connect.- ing said piston with the opposite draw-head,suitable tubing connectingr with the said chamber, and a pressure-gagemounted upon or attached to the said tubing and actuated by the saidliquid, substantially as described.

2. In a device for indicating the traction power of locomotives, adraw-head, a chamber located therein adapted to contain a liquid, apiston or the like working in the drawhead and bearing against theliquid in said chamber, means for connecting said piston with theopposite draw-head, and means whereby the pressure on said liquid may beregistered, substantially as described.

'In a device li'or measuring the traction power of locomotives, thecombination, with a draw-head,of a chamberlocated therein adapted toreceive a liquid, slots in the sides of the chamber, forming guides, apiston or the like having a cross-head working in the guides andoperated by the pressure of the liquid in the chamber, and means forconnecting said piston with the opposite draw-head, in combination withmeans for determining the pressure on said liquid, substantially asdescribed.

4. In a device t'or indicating the traction power of locomotives, thecombination, with a d raw-head, a chamberlocated therein adapted toreceive a liquid, slots in the sides of the draw-head, forming guides, apistou bearing against the liquid in the chamber and having a cross-headworkin g in said guides, and a stirrup l1, secured to the cross-head forengagement with the opposite draw-head, of a watersupply pipe leadingfrom said chamber and connected with a suitable tank or the like, avalve located in said pipe adapted to admit water to the chamber butprevent its discharge therefrom, and means for indicating the pressureof the liquid within the chamber, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I atix my si gnatn re in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT ll. INNES.

lVitnesses:

1I. G. MOORE, E. C. ROBERTS.

